CRANBERRY TWP — When Saxonburg needed a win to keep its hopes of playing in the Eagle County League championship alive, starting pitcher Sean O'Donnell didn't let his team down.

The right-hander surrendered just two runs on seven hits in Saxonburg's 3-2 victory over Cranberry Township Tuesday at North Boundary Park.

The win evens the semifinal series at two games apiece. The fifth and deciding game will be played at 6 p.m. today at Butler County Community College.

Mars awaits the winner.

O'Donnell pitched the first game of the series on Friday, earning the win in a 3-2 triumph.

"To be honest, I was tired in the first inning tonight," admitted O'Donnell. "But once the game gets going, you just forget about it and pitch."

O'Donnell and Cranberry's Steve Cunningham were locked in a pitchers duel when Saxonburg came to the plate in the top of the seventh with the score tied at 2-all.

Evan Oswald reached base with a one-out single.

With two outs and Steve Hall at the plate, Oswald stole second before Hall delivered a single to center, scoring Oswald with what proved to be the game-winning run.

"It depended on who we got on base, but once it was Evan, I knew I was going to steal him," said Saxonburg manager Dan Cunningham.

Three batters later, Cranberry reliever Todd Erdos came in to get the final out and Saxonburg's lead remained at one run.

In the bottom of the seventh, O'Donnell struck out Mike Mulvey and Jim Burry before Johnny Hastings singled and Greg Miller walked.

Hugh Mulvey then bounced into a forceout to end the game.

Cranberry stranded seven runners, six of them in scoring position.

"We didn't get the big two-out hit with guys on base," said Cranberry player-manager Bill Clinefelter, "and Steve pitched well for us."

O'Donnell threw 111 pitches, striking out six and walking two.

"Once our guys got me the run in the top of the seventh, there was definitely a shot of adrenaline," said O'Donnell.

Saxonburg drew first blood in the top of the first when Sandy Sanderson's double scored Dustin Lalle.

Sanderson then scored on Adam Hartwig's singlet for a 2-0 edge.

Cranberry answered with Miller's two-run triple in the bottom of the inning that scored Burry and Hastings.

Both pitchers settled down after that.

"Sean had trouble getting loose tonight," said Dan Cunningham. "But after that first inning, the velocity picked up on his fastball and his slider worked well off of that."

Saxonburg 200 000 1 — 3 10 3Cranberry Twp 200 000 0 — 2 7 0W: Sean O'Donnell 7 IP (6K, 2BB).

L: Steve Cunningham 6X\c IP (5K, 3BB).

Saxonburg: Dustin Lalle 1B R, Sandy Sanderson 2B R RBI, Evan Oswald 1B R, Adam Hartwig 2-1B RBI, Steve Hall 2-1B RBI, Dan Pickard 2-1B, Ryan Hart 1B

Cranberry Township: Jim Burry 1B R, Johnny Hastings 2-1B 2B R, Greg Miller 3B 2 RBI, Hugh Mulvey 1B, Ben Follett 1B

Today: Cranberry Township vs. Saxonburg, Game 5 of semifinal, Butler County Community College, 6 p.m.